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The architecture of Castelnavia noveloi (Podostemaceae) – a re-investigation

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Abstract

Podostemaceae occupy river rapids and waterfalls, where they attach to rocks in turbulent currents. All vegetative structures (roots, stems, leaves) are usually green and presumably photosynthetic, and highly variable in form among taxa. Here is reported the results of a study of a species of neotropical Castelnavia (C. noveloi). Published reports of the lack of roots in the species, as well as the presence of pinnately compound leaves, are challenged. Evidence based on early seedling growth indicates that prostrate roots develop exogenously from the hypocotyl base. After re-examining mature plants we interpret what was reported by earlier workers as pinnately compound leaves to be foliate roots. Examination of branching of mature shoots of C. noveloi indicate a form of sympodial branching system that is arranged in a dichasial order as helicoid, scorpoid, or fan-shaped cymes.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National Science Foundation Grant DEB-0444589 and Connecticut State University-AAUP research grants to C.T.P., and by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico-Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia (CNPq-MCT) to C.P.B.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hainerbergweg 61, 61462, Königstein, Germany

    Irmgard Jäger-Zürn

  2. Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT, 06810, USA

    C. Thomas Philbrick

  3. Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Museu Nacional, Quinta da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20940-040, Brasil

    Claudia P. Bove

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  1. Irmgard Jäger-Zürn
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  2. C. Thomas Philbrick
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  3. Claudia P. Bove
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Correspondence to Irmgard Jäger-Zürn.

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Jäger-Zürn, I., Philbrick, C.T. & Bove, C.P. The architecture of Castelnavia noveloi (Podostemaceae) – a re-investigation. Brittonia 68, 202–211 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12228-016-9408-6

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